One Love FC of Nema Kunku and Hand Over FC of Tallinding became the first two teams to book their places in the Serekunda East Nawettan proper following their respective wins over Weeh Weeh Bi FC and Dubai over the weekend.
Hand Over FC on Friday eliminated Weeh Weeh Bi in the final round of the qualifiers after a 4-3 post-match penalty shootout win, following a 2-2 draw in the regulation period.
Hand Over FC was relegated from last year’s SESDO Nawettan, while Weeh Weeh Bi FC are participating in the community’s Nawettan for the first time. Weeh Weeh BI won four of their knockout qualifier matches but had their hopes dashed after being defeated by the experienced Hand Over side.
One Love FC yesterday also eliminated the ambitious Dubai FC team after a 7-6 post-match penalty shoot-out win following a goalless stalemate in regulation time.
Dubai FC team had also won all of its four knockout matches but left to relish their failure to secure the long awaited qualification to the Nawettan proper.
Speaking in an interview shortly after the game, the head of One Love, Ebrima Baldeh, expressed delight for booking their place to the Nawettan proper, noting that they have been preparing for long for their playoff matches against Dubai FC.
“Coming into the game I was with full hope of booking back a place in the Nawettan proper. This year we are coming with a difference,” he said.
According to him, this playoff victory would boost their confidence ahead of the new campaign.
For his part, the head coach of Dubai FC, Abdoulie Sambo, expressed sadness for losing their final knockout qualifier match but indicated that they would take the defeat in good faith and prepare better for next year’s edition.
by Arfang MS Camara
& Jainaba D Jatta
